218 MODERN PIG-STICKING 



The secret of all successful shikar is to go to the 

 right place at the right time. 



I cannot quit this subject without a word of 

 tribute to the shikaries of the Meerut Tent Club 

 with whom I have had the good fortune to work. 

 Old Lutchman, Napoleon of scoundrels, master of 

 men, long pensioned, and now hunting in the lands 

 of " le grand peut-etre " ; Purun, patient, silent, and 

 wise ; Baboo, an Indian D'Artagnan ; Aherias all, 

 they will ever hold a warm corner in my heart. 



Pay much attention to your line, train it to be 

 absolutely silent. More pig are lost by talk than 

 this world wots of. Sahibs and syces are bad 

 offenders. 



Try for short, brisk days. A successful hunt 

 should be like a good parade, quick, sharp, and to 

 the point. If you start a line at 6 A.M. and go on 

 till 2 midday, you cannot expect to get coolies. 

 Many of them have, in addition to the beating, 

 probably another hour's walk each way to their 

 homes. 



I have never found afternoon hunting of any 

 value. Better is a longer morning, and then a good 

 rest to horse and man. You yourself can usually 

 fish or shoot. 



Start your line punctually to a second of the 

 advertised time. In one hunt I know they pride 

 themselves on their unpunctuality. Within an 

 hour or so is good enough. c We are out to enjoy 

 ourselves, not for a soldier's parade." And they 

 may get in at any time till night. People's ideas 

 of enjoyment differ. I prefer to know my time, 

 to save my horses every minute I can, and to 

 arrange for my own movements in comfort. 



Make the spears see that all bushes are thoroughly 



